Nemesia plant named ‘FLEURFRAM’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Nemesia  named ‘FLEURFRAM’ that is characterized by compact upright habit, small fresh green foliage and a prolific display of large raspberry red flowers when first open becoming lilac blue in color as they age and fade. The flowers also exhibit a maroon-colored palate or “eye”. In combination these traits set ‘FLEURFRAM’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Nemesia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Nemesia.

Species: foetens.

Denomination: ‘FLEURFRAM’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Nemesiaplant grown as an ornamental for use in garden and landscape borders, orin containers. The new variety is known botanically as Nemesia foetensand will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘FLEURFRAM’.

‘FLEURFRAM’ resulted from a formal breeding program begun by theinventor in 1998 at her nursery in West Sussex, United Kingdom. Thepurpose of the breeding program is to produce new varieties of Nemesiathat exhibit compact habit and new flower colors and color combinations.

In 2008, the inventor conducted controlled cross-pollination between twounreleased and unpatented selections of Nemesia from the inventor'sbreeding program, namely Nemesia code number 825 (unpatented) as maleparent and Nemesia code number 832 (unpatented) as female parent.‘FLEURFRAM’ was selected by the inventor in 2009 for its attractivemulticolored inflorescence which is comprised of individual flowers ofvarying age and color.

‘FLEURFRAM’ is distinguishable from the male parent, ‘825’ as follows:

Whereas the flowers of ‘FLEURFRAM’ are raspberry red, fading tolilac-blue, with a maroon palate or “eye”, the flowers of the maleparent are red and do not exhibit any fading with age. Additionally‘FLEURFRAM’ exhibits an upright habit with a smaller leaf, ‘825’ has atrailing habit and produces a larger size leaf.

‘FLEURFRAM’ is distinguishable from the female parent, ‘832’ as follows:

Whereas the habit of ‘FLEURFRAM’ is compact with a shorter overall plantsize at maturity, ‘832’ exhibits an open habit with a taller overallplant size at maturity.

The closest comparison plant known to the inventor is the inventor'svariety, ‘FLEURIPI’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,851). ‘FLEURIPI’ isdistinguishable from ‘FLEURFRAM’ as follows: Mature plants of ‘FLEURIPI’are shorter in height than plants of ‘FLEURFRAM’. ‘FLEURIPI’ has smallerstrong pink colored flowers compared to ‘FLEURFRAM’ which are larger insize and which vary from raspberry red fading to lilac-blue with amaroon palate or “eye” in color.

‘FLEURFRAM’ was first asexually propagated by the inventor in 2009 in anunheated greenhouse at the inventor's nursery in West Sussex, UnitedKingdom using softwood cuttings. The inventor has determined that‘FLEURFRAM’ is stable and uniform, and reproduces true to type insuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

The first public distribution anywhere in the world of any plants of‘FLEURFRAM’ took place in April 2011 when the inventor commenceddeliveries of plants to garden centers in the United Kingdom. Theseplants had all been grown by the inventor from plants which the inventorhad privately commissioned to be produced solely for the inventor undervirus-free conditions. The inventor filed an application for EuropeanCommunity Plant Breeders' Rights for ‘FLEURFRAM’ on Dec. 22, 2011,Serial Number 2011/3170. That application states a first date of sale inEurope as 10 Jan. 2011 and refers to the purchase by the inventor of theprivately-commissioned plants above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of ‘FLEURFRAM’. In combination thesetraits set the new cultivar apart from all other existing varieties ofNemesia known to the inventor. ‘FLEURFRAM’ has not been tested under allpossible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed withvariations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, withouthowever, any variance in genotype.

1. ‘FLEURFRAM’ exhibits a compact upright habit.

2. A 6 months old plant of ‘FLEURFRAM’ grown in a 9 cm. container is 15cm. in height and 10-12 cm. in width.

-   -   2. A 9 months old plant of ‘FLEURFRAM’ grown in a 13 cm        container is 25-30 cm. in height and 25-30 cm. in width.    -   3. ‘FLEURFRAM’ exhibits large flowers which are raspberry red in        color when first open becoming lilac-blue in color as they age        and fade.    -   4. The flowers of ‘FLEURFRAM’ exhibit a maroon-colored palate or        “eye”.    -   5. ‘FLEURFRAM’ has a long blooming period, from early spring        until fall.    -   6. ‘FLEURFRAM’ is hardy to −6° Celsius and survives in USDA Zone        9.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Nemesia cultivar named ‘FLEURFRAM’ showing the colors as true as itis reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.

The drawing labeled FIG. 1 shows an 8 month old plant of ‘FLEURFRAM’grown from a cutting. The plant has been grown in a 1-litre container ina frost-free greenhouse in West Sussex, United Kingdom. The plant hasbeen grown naturally, without the use of pinching or chemical growthregulator treatments.

The drawing labeled FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the flowers of‘FLEURFRAM’.

The drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flowerand foliage color may appear different from actual color due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Nemesiacultivar named ‘FLEURFRAM’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons were collected in Santa Barbara, Calif. from a 9 month oldplant grown in the landscape. Color determinations were made inaccordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart fromLondon England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionarysignificance are used. Growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Nemesia foetens ‘FLEURFRAM’.-   Family:-   Genus: Nemesia.-   Species: foetens.-   Denomination: ‘FLEURFRAM’.-   Common name: Nemesia.-   Suggested uses: For use in the garden border, in patio containers or    in the landscape.-   Suggested commercial container size: 9 cm or 1-litre containers.-   Cultural needs: Full sun, moist well-draining soil or peat-based    medium, and application of a general plant fertilizer during the    growing season.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Nemesia code number ‘832’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Nemesia code number ‘825’ (unpatented).-   Propagation: Softwood cuttings.-   Growth habit: Upright, compact habit.-   Vigor: Vigorous.-   Plant dimensions: A 6 months old plant of ‘FLEURFRAM’ grown in a    9 cm. container is 15 cm. in height and 10-12 cm. in width. A 9    months old plant of ‘FLEURFRAM’ grown in a 13 cm container is    25-30 cm. in height and 25-30 cm. in width.-   Type: Perennial in USDA zones 9 and warmer; annual in zones colder    than zone 9.-   Seasonal interest: Flowers that are a raspberry red in color fading    to a lilac blue as they age. The flowers also exhibit a contrasting    maroon palate or “eye”.-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 14 days are needed to develop    roots on initial cuttings.-   Temperatures to initiate rooting: The air temperature that is    recommended for rooting is 16° Centigrade and the soil temperature    that is recommended for rooting is 24° Centigrade.-   Crop time: Approximately 8 weeks are needed to produce a finished    9 cm. container plant from a rooted cutting.-   Root system: Fine.-   Hardiness: Hardy to minus 6° Centigrade.-   Disease and pest susceptibility: ‘FLEURFRAM’ is susceptible to    aphid-transmitted viruses and to whitefly.-   Special or recommended growing requirements:    -   -   Pruning.—Pinch back the growing tips when potting into the            final growing container.        -   Soil.—70% medium grade peat, 10% coarse peat and 20% 12 mm            bark.-   Stem:    -   -   Stem shape.—Quadrate.        -   Stem length.—12 cm. in length.        -   Stem diameter.—3 mm. in diameter.        -   Stem surface.—Glabrous.        -   Stem color.—138B.        -   Pubescence.—None observed.        -   Stem texture.—Soft and flexible.        -   Internode length.—3.5 cm. between nodes.        -   Branching habit.—Basal branching.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Leaf shape.—Ovate.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Margins.—Entire.        -   Surface.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf pubescence.—None observed.        -   Leaf appearance (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—Matte            appearance.        -   Leaf length.—Individual leaves range from 1.50 cm. to 3 cm.            in length.        -   Leaf width.—Individual leaves range from 4 mm. to 12 mm. in            width.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—138A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate and sessile are present on an            individual plant.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole surface.—Glabrous.        -   Petiole dimensions.—4 mm. in length and less than 1.25 mm.            in diameter.        -   Petiole color.—138B.        -   Vein pattern.—Pinnate with mid-vein depressed on adaxial            surface and protruding on abaxial surface.        -   Vein color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—138C.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flowering season.—Spring and summer and fall.        -   Fragrance.—None.        -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—4 cm. in length and 4 cm. in            width.        -   Type of inflorescence.—Terminal racemes.        -   Overall appearance.—A fully developed inflorescence bears            newly-opened raspberry-red flowers in combination with older            flowers which have aged and faded to lilac-blue in color.        -   Quantity of flowers.—A range of 5-8 flowers per            inflorescence.        -   Lastingness of individual flower.—An individual flower lasts            7-10 days.        -   Peduncle dimensions.—3 cm. in length and 1 mm. in diameter.        -   Peduncle shape.—Quadrate.        -   Peduncle surface.—Glabrous.        -   Peduncle color.—138B.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—9 mm. in length and less than 0.50 mm.            in diameter.        -   Pedicel shape.—Closest to cylindrical with one longitudinal            furrow.        -   Pedicel surface.—Glabrous.        -   Pedicel color.—138B.        -   Bud shape.—Oval.        -   Bud color.—59D.        -   Bud dimensions.—5 mm. in diameter and 5 mm. in length.        -   Quantity of buds.—A range of 3-4 individual buds are present            on an individual inflorescence.        -   Flower shape.—Personate.        -   Flower dimensions.—14 mm-17 mm in height, 10-17 in width,            4-5 mm in depth.        -   Flower color (overall appearance).—Varies between 60B as            flowers first open, to 75B as flowers age and remain on the            plant.        -   Corolla.—Tube pouch and spur attached to base.        -   Corolla tube dimensions.—9 mm. in length and 2 mm. in            diameter.        -   Corolla tube color (inner and outer surfaces).—155B.        -   Pouch and spur.—Described below as nectary throat and            funnel.        -   Petal color and dimensions (flower newly opened).—Upper lip            dimensions: 5 mm. in width and 5 mm in length. Upper lip            color (adaxial surfaces): 60B. Upper lip color (abaxial            surfaces): 70C. Lower lip dimensions: 1 cm in width and 5 mm            in length. Lower lip color (adaxial surfaces): 60B. Lower            lip color (abaxial surfaces): 70C.        -   Petal color and dimensions (oldest flower remaining on            plant).—Upper lip dimensions: 1.7 cm in width and 1 cm in            length. Upper lip color (adaxial surfaces): 75B. Upper lip            color (abaxial surfaces): 75C. Lower lip dimensions: 1.5 cm            in width and 1 cm in length. Lower lip color (adaxial            surfaces):75B. Lower lip color (abaxial surfaces): 75C.        -   Pollinator guide lines (upper lip).—Approximately 15            parallel fine guide lines 3-4 mm in length, 71A in color.        -   Margins, upper lip.—Entire.        -   Margins, lower lip.—Entire.        -   Number of lobes (upper lip).—Four lobes in number.        -   Fused or unfused (upper lip).—Lobes basally fused.        -   Lobe dimensions (upper lip).—Each lobe is 5 mm in width and            6 mm in length.        -   Petal apex, upper lip.—Rounded.        -   Petal apex, lower lip.—Emarginate.        -   Upper lip surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Lower lip surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Calyx dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 4 mm. in width.        -   Calyx shape.—Stellate.        -   Sepals.—Five in number.        -   Sepal surface.—Pubescent.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal shape.—Lanceolate.        -   Sepal dimensions.—2 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepals fused or unfused.—Basally fused.        -   Sepal color (adaxial surface).—138A.        -   Sepal color (abaxial surface).—138A.        -   Palate color.—61A-61B.        -   Palate dimensions.—2 mm in length and 3 mm in width.        -   Nectary (pouch and spur).—        -   Nectary guide.—Two adjacent yellow stripes, each 1.5 mm in            length, 1 mm in width; color: 13A.        -   Nectary throat (appears as pouch externally).—Diameter at            base of flower, 4 mm; interior color 76D, exterior color            76C.        -   Nectary funnel (appears as spur externally).—4 mm in length,            0.05 mm in diameter; color: 69D (both surfaces).        -   Nectary surface.—Smooth, semi-glossy.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Four in number.        -   Color of stamens.—155A.        -   Stamen dimensions.—1 mm. in length and less than 0.25 mm. in            diameter.        -   Anther color.—163C.        -   Pollen.—Moderate, color: 163C.        -   Anther dimensions.—Less than 0.50 mm. in length and less            than 0.50 mm. in width.        -   Pistil.—One, color: 144D, dimensions: 1 mm. in length and            0.25 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary dimensions.—0.50 mm. in height and 0.50 mm. in            diameter.        -   Ovary shape.—Globular.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary color.—144D.-   Seed:    -   -   Quantity of seed.—Average of 2 seeds per capsule.        -   Seed shape.—Flattened ellipsoid.        -   Seed color.—200D.        -   Seed dimensions.—2 mm. in length and 1.25 mm. in width.        -   Capsule.—Thin paper-like elliptic winged; dimensions 4 mm in            length, 2.5 mm in width; color 156D.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Nemesia plant named‘FLEURFRAM’ as described and illustrated herein.